Forearm Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A forearm exercise apparatus includes a base having a central pillar extending from a top surface thereof. A forearm support is disposed on the base, the forearm support having a forearm support platform and an elbow support coupled to the forearm support platform. First and second handles extend upward from the base, and are offset from a lateral axis of the base that passes through a center of the forearm support and the central pillar on the base. The handles are capable of being gripped by a hand of a user when a user&#39;s opposite forearm is placed on the forearm support. A plurality of legs extends downward, away from the central pillar. A lower platform is spaced apart from the lower shelf, the lower platform extending outward, beyond at least one edge of the base.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The invention relates generally to exercise equipment and moreparticularly to a weight training exercise machine that targets humanforearm muscles.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of devices that have been designed to facilitate armwrestling contests and corresponding exercise of a person's arms, suchas the arm wrestling device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,275.However, devices which facilitate arm wrestling are not suitable for usein strengthening the forearm muscles. In arm wrestling, the strength ofthe entire arm, including the upper arm and the biceps, is important.However, when targeting the forearms for strengthening, the upper armand biceps should be isolated from the forearm for maximumeffectiveness.

Various exercises, such as wrist curls, may be performed to strengthenthe forearm. Wrist curls are performed by resting the forearm directlyover the thigh (or other stationary platform), with the palm of the handfacing upwards, and with a dumbbell in the palm of the hand, bending thewrist so that the hand holding the dumbbell moves from a relatively lowposition to a relatively high position. Reverse wrist curls may beperformed in a similar manner, except that the palm of the hand facesdownwards. Although these exercises generally target the forearmmuscles, they do not produce optimal results.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates generally to a forearm exercise apparatus thatfocuses on isolating and strengthening the forearm muscles.

In one example, the forearm exercise apparatus includes a base having acentral pillar extending from a top surface thereof, and a centralopening proximate the central pillar. A forearm support is disposed onthe base, the forearm support having a forearm support platform and anelbow support coupled to the forearm support platform. The forearmsupport platform is inclined at an angle of between about 10 degrees andabout 70 degrees with respect to the base. A first handle extends upwardfrom the base, the first handle being offset from a lateral axis of thebase that passes through a center of the forearm support and the centralpillar on the base, the first handle being capable of being gripped by afirst hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on theforearm support. A second handle extends upward from the base, thesecond handle being offset from a lateral axis of the base that passesthrough a center of the forearm support and the central pillar on thebase, the second handle being capable of being gripped by a second handof a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on the forearmsupport. A plurality of legs extends downward, away from the centralpillar and a lower shelf is spaced apart from the base and connected toat least one leg in the plurality of legs. A weight retainer rests onthe lower shelf when not being used. A lower platform is spaced apartfrom the lower shelf, and proximate a lower end of the at least one leg,the lower platform extending outward, beyond at least one edge of thebase.

In other embodiments, the example forearm exercise machine may includeany one or more of the following optional forms.

In one optional form, a guide pulley is elevated above the base, theguide pulley being disposed between the central pillar and the forearmsupport platform.

In another optional form, the forearm exercise machine includes a handleand a cable attached to the handle at a first cable end, and the cableis attached to the weight retainer at a second cable end, the cableextending under the guide pulley and over the central pillar beforepassing through the central opening.

In yet another optional form, the elbow support is adjustable along alength of the forearm support platform.

In yet another optional form, the forearm support platform extendsoutward, beyond an edge of the base so that the forearm support platformhangs over the edge of the base.

In yet another optional form, a hook is located on a bottom of the base,the hook being adapted to connect to a turnbuckle connected to the lowerplatform.

In yet another optional form, one of the first handle and the secondhandle forms an acute angle with the base.

In yet another optional form, the acute angle is between about 10degrees and about 80 degrees, preferably between about 20 degrees andabout 70 degrees.

In yet another optional form, a pillar pulley is disposed on top of thecentral pillar.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment, which is made with reference tothe drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a forearmexercise apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the forearm exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the forearm exercise apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the forearm exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the forearm exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1-5, a forearm exercise apparatus 1 includes a base2 having a central pillar 9 extending from a top surface thereof, and acentral opening 20 proximate the central pillar 9. In some embodiments,the base 2 comprises a metal, such as steel, aluminum, or other metalalloy. In other embodiments, the base 2 may comprise a rigid strongmaterial, such as stone, wood, plastic, ceramic, composites, or anyother rigid strong material.

A forearm support 22 is attached to the base 2, the forearm support 22having a forearm support platform 6 and an elbow support 11 coupled tothe forearm support platform 6, the forearm support platform 6 beinginclined at an angle P (FIG. 4) of between about 10 degrees and about 70degrees with respect to the base 2. Similar to the base, the forearmsupport 22 may comprise a rigid strong material, such as metal, stone,wood, plastic, composite, or ceramic. The elbow support 11 may include acurved surface to cradle the user's elbow. In some embodiments, theforearm support platform 6 may include a padding layer (not shown).

A first handle 7 a extends upward, away from the base 2, the firsthandle 7 a being offset from a lateral axis A (FIG. 3) of the base 2that passes through a center of the forearm support 22 and the centralpillar 9 on the base 2. The first handle 7 a is capable of being grippedby a first hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed onthe forearm support 22.

In order for a user to switch arms, a second handle 7 b extends upward,away from the base 2, the second handle 7 b being offset from thelateral axis A of the base 2 that passes through a center of the forearmsupport 22 and the central pillar 9 on the base 2. The second handle 7 bis capable of being gripped by a second hand (opposite of the firsthand) of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on the forearmsupport 22.

One or both of the first handle 7 a and the second handle 7 b may forman acute angle Z (FIG. 1) with the base 2. In some embodiments, theacute angle is between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees, preferablybetween about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees.

A plurality of legs 3 extend downward, away from the central pillar 9.The base 2 is supported on the plurality of legs 3. A lower shelf 4 isspaced apart from the base 2 and is connected to at least one leg 3 inthe plurality of legs 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 2 andthe lower shelf 4 are both generally rectangular in shape and the lowershelf 4 has semi-circular cut-outs in two side edges thereof, which mayallow a user to get closer to the base 2 by placing a portion of a legin the cut-out. In other embodiments, the base 2, and/or the lower shelf4, may take on other shapes, such as generally square, substantiallycircular or oval, or virtually any other shape that allows a user toplace his or her forearm in the forearm support 22. Additionally, in theillustrated embodiment, the base 2 and the lower shelf 4 aresubstantially parallel to one another.

A weight retainer 15 rests on the lower shelf 4 when not being actuated.The weight retainer 15 includes a weight column 30 for retaining weightplates with central holes, and a weight support platform 32, forpreventing the weight column 30 from tipping over when no weight platesare present. In the example embodiment, the weight support platform 32comprises a plurality of outwardly extending legs 34 in the form of an“X.” In other embodiments, the weight support platform 32 may have othershapes and/or configurations so long as the weigh support platform 32 issupported in the vertical position and the weight support platform 32does not block access to one end of the weight column 30 so that weightplates may be stacked on the weight column 30.

A lower platform 17 is spaced apart from the lower shelf 4, andproximate a lower end of the at least one leg 3. The lower platform 17extends outward, beyond at least one edge of the base 2 to provide astep or stabilization surface 40. When a user places his or her forearmin the forearm support 22 and leans on the forearm support 22 inpreparation for using the forearm exercise apparatus 1, a tipping momentis created because the forearm support platform 6 hangs over an edge ofthe base. By placing a foot on the stabilization surface 40, the usercan prevent the base 2 from tipping towards the user (due to the tippingmoment) because the legs 3 are secured to the lower platform 17.

In some embodiments, a guide pulley 13 is elevated above the base 2. Theguide pulley 13 is disposed between the central pillar 9 and the forearmsupport platform 6. The guide pulley 13 directs a cable 70 from a handle72 to the weight retainer 15 (see FIG. 4). The cable 70 passes under theguide pulley 13, over a pillar pulley 12 and down through the centralopening 20 before connecting to the weight retainer 15.

In some embodiments, the elbow support 11 is adjustable along a lengthof the forearm support platform 6. For example, in some embodiments, theelbow support 11 may slide along a slot 50 (FIG. 3) in the forearmsupport platform 6 and be secured in a selected position by a wing nut,a pin, or another securing device 52. In this way, the elbow support 11may be properly positioned for any given user so that distal ends of thearm bones (radius and ulna) are positioned approximately over a top edgeof the forearm support platform 6, which results in an optimum positionfor allowing a full range of motion of the wrist while isolating theforearm muscles for exercise.

In some embodiments, a hook 60 (FIG. 5) is located on a bottom of thebase 2. The hook 60 is adapted to connect to a turnbuckle (not shown),which in turn is connected to the lower platform 17 to stabilize andsecure the base 2 relative to the lower platform 17.

Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoingdescription. This description is to be construed as illustrative only,and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the bestmode of carrying out the invention. The details of the structure andmethod may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and the exclusive use of all modifications which comewithin the scope of the appended claims is reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A forearm exercise apparatus, comprising: a basehaving a central pillar extending from a top surface thereof and acentral opening proximate the central pillar; a forearm support disposedon the base, the forearm support having a forearm support platform andan elbow support coupled to the forearm support platform, the forearmsupport platform being inclined at an angle of between about 10 degreesand about 70 degrees with respect to the base; a first handle extendingupward from the base, the first handle being offset from a lateral axisof the base that passes through a center of the forearm support and thecentral pillar on the base, the first handle being capable of beinggripped by a first hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm isplaced on the forearm support; a second handle extending upward from thebase, the second handle being offset from a lateral axis of the basethat passes through a center of the forearm support and the centralpillar on the base, the second handle being capable of being gripped bya second hand of a user when a user's opposite forearm is placed on theforearm support; a plurality of legs extending downward, away from thecentral pillar; a lower shelf spaced apart from the base and connectedto at least one leg in the plurality of legs; a weight retainer, theweight retainer resting on the lower shelf when not being used; and alower platform spaced apart from the lower shelf, and proximate a lowerend of the at least one leg, wherein the lower platform extends outwardbeyond at least one edge of the base.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a guide pulley elevated above the base, the guidepulley being disposed between the central pillar and the forearm supportplatform.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a handle and acable being attached to the handle at a first cable end, and the cablebeing attached to the weight retainer at a second cable end, the cableextending under the guide pulley and over the central pillar beforeextending through the central opening.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the elbow support is adjustable along a length of the forearmsupport platform.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the elbow supportis slideable along a slot in the forearm support.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the elbow support is secureable in a selected positionalong the slot by a securing device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the securing device is one of a pin and a nut.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the forearm support platform extends outward, beyondan edge of the base so that the forearm support platform hangs over theedge of the base.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hooklocated on a bottom of the base, the hook being adapted to connect to aturnbuckle connected to the lower platform.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein one of the first handle and the second handle forms an acuteangle with the base.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acuteangle is between about 10 degrees and about 80 degrees.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the acute angle is between about 20degrees and about 70 degrees.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a pillar pulley disposed on top of the central pillar. 14.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower shelf comprises asemi-circular cut-out in a side edge thereof.
 15. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising a weight retainer resting on the lower shelf whennot being actuated.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the weightretainer comprises a weight column adapted for retaining weight plateswith central holes.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the weightretainer further comprises a weight support platform for preventing theweight column from tipping over when no weight plates are present. 18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the weight support platform comprisesa plurality of outwardly extending x-shaped legs.